1. Read and discuss the following description of the living conditions of workers who come to the labour chowk.Most workers that we find at the labour chowk cannot afford permanent accommodation and so sleep on pavements near the chowk, or they pay Rs 6 a night for a bed at a nearby night shelter run by the Municipal Corporation. To compensate for the lack of security, local tea and cigarette shops function as banks, moneylenders and safety lockers, all rolled into one. Most workers leave their tools at these shops for the night for safekeeping, and pass on any extra money to them. The shopkeepers keep the money safely and also offer loans to labourers in need.

Source: Aman Sethi, Hindu On-line

Answer

Living condition of workers who came to the labour chowk:
(i) Workers are living in the harsh condition and suffering from lack of basic facilities and security.
(ii) The workers at labour chowk find out regular jobs but do not have permanent jobs.
(iii) They do not have permanent shelter so sleep on pavements or in paid shelter of Municipal corporation.
(iv) The protection of their money and tools are provided by the local tea and cigarettes shops in an unorganised manner.
(v) Labourers also took loans from these shops.

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2. Complete the following table and discuss how their work is different:

Name

Place of work

Earnings

Security of work

Benefits received

Work ontheir own oremployed

Bachchu
Manjhi

Rs 100 a day

Harpreet,Vandana

Work on their
own

Nirmala

No security

Sudha

Company

Rs 30,000 p.m.

Answer

Name

Place of work

Earnings

Security of work

Benefits received

Work ontheir own oremployed

Bachchu
Manjhi

Cycle-Rickshaw Puller

Rs 100 a day

No Security

No benefits received

Work on their
own

Harpreet,Vandana

Garments showroom

Good earning

Yes, licence to do business

Growth in business

Work on their
own

Nirmala

Garment Factory

Rs 80 a day for eight hours and Rs 40 extra for working late.

No security

Rs 40 for overtime work

Employed

Sudha

Company

Rs 30,000 p.m.

Secured

Medical facilities, Paid holidays, Saving for old age and many benefits.

Employed

3. In what ways is a permanent and regular job different from a casual job? Discuss.

Answer

Permanent Job

Regular Job

Job Security

No job security

Fixed working hour

No fixed working hour

Fixed payments

No fixed payments

Paid holidays and leave

No paid holidays and leave

Extra benefits

No extra benefits

4. What benefits does Sudha get along with her salary?

Answer

Sudha get different benefits along with her salary:
(i) Savings for old age: A part of her salary is kept in fund with government on which she gets interest and retirement.
(ii) Holidays: She doesn’t have to work on Sundays and national holidays. She also get some annual leave.
(iii) Medical facilities: She get paid leave for illness and free treatment. Her family get paid medical facilities up to certain amount by the company.
(iv) Job security: She also have the permanent job and security of it.

5. Fill in the following table to show the services provided by people in the markets which you visit frequently.